Baldwin’s Beach

The steps, oh the steps.
The view, oh the view.
The excitement, the smell, the joy, the anticipation of
a great day.
Full blown wonder at the majesty of it all.

Oh my god, the waves are perfect.
As we run down the steep steps and careen through the sand.
I stop short.
I have on my new two piece, just like Margo’s bikini,
Only a two piece, just right for me.

She’s thrown a fit to Mom but I don’t care.
It’s mine and I love it
The sand like butter and sugar under my feet,
Plenty of room to stretch out.
I don’t have to worry as there is endless space for
us all.

I take my towel and carefully lay it down, careful not to get
sand on it
I place rocks on each corner.
I spread the Coppertone all over my body.
Again I am still.

Everyone is in a good mood and the waves are perfect.
I can trust this.
Today I can trust the love and fun and cooperation and acceptance and care.
It will last all day.

Today I can let go.
Today I can bodysurf forever.
I can race Dad and tumble and suck in the salt water.

I can eat hard boiled eggs and peanut butter and jelly and Pepperidge Farm Cookies.
Today I can wallow in the luscious pool of clay and swim it
all off.

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Comments

A wonderful, well-written story that transported me into a part of my life I had forgotten.

You body surfed !!!

I loved body surfing it was so much fun. I felt so strong and brave and free riding the waves, gliding into shore. Once I was tumbled in a big wave and I couldn’t tell which way was up in the ocean and I really was scared I was going to drown. I knew I was caught in a rip, a strong channel of water flowing seaward from near the shore, through the surf. Typical flow is 8 feet per second, which is faster than any human swimmer. I was alone in the ocean and the lifeguard was watching me get pulled out to sea. He told me later that my stepfather told him I was a good swimmer and he didn’t need to rescue me. When I came to the surface I was out of breath and frightened but I was afraid to signal for help. I was a good swimmer but I knew that I couldn’t fight the rip so I let it take me way out and then swam back to the beach around the outside of the current.